Hamilton-based shipping container supplier, RFB Containers, has announced its charity partnership with The Yard Scotland.
The Yard Scotland provides adventure play services for disabled children, young people, and their families – creating safe, inclusive spaces where they can have fun, make friends, and feel supported.
As part of the partnership, RFB Containers supplies containers free of charge to The Yard’s multiple locations across Scotland, providing the charity with storage facilities for their outdoor toys and equipment. RFB Containers was involved in the opening of The Yard’s latest site opening in Glasgow, ensuring the charity could store their equipment securely during the site refurbishment.
The partnership also extends beyond equipment storage. RFB Containers is working with the facilities team at The Yard on supplying accommodation units to ensure their staff have appropriate working spaces that are fit for purpose.
Angus Barraclough, Managing Director at RFB Containers said: “We’re really proud of our partnership with The Yard and we recognise the importance of this partnership and the impact it has within the business and wider community.
“It’s more than just donations – it’s about supporting a truly meaningful cause that makes a real difference in the lives of families across Scotland.”
Jenny MacDonald, Deputy CEO, The Yard Scotland, said: ““We are extremely grateful to Angus and everyone at RFB Containers for their generous support of The Yard. Their help with providing secure storage and suitable facilities for our team is invaluable.
This partnership makes a real difference to our families by supporting the vital services we provide to disabled children, young people, and their families across Scotland.”
This October and November, Dobbies Garden Centres is inviting customers along to its enchanting autumn events at the Edinburgh store, helping kick-start the season.
There’s something for everyone, with events for dogs, kids and families:
Pup-kin Patch
The Pup-kin Patch at Dobbies will be a fun outing for dogs where they can dig into treats, toys, and tail wagging fun. With activities from picking their own autumn themed toys, to enjoying a puppuccino from the restaurant, furry friends are bound to have a paw-esome outing. The event will also have a free digital photo opportunity for dogs to pose in front of an autumnal backdrop at the Edinburgh store, for a beautiful pet ‘paw-trait’.
Tickets to the event will also include special offers in the pet department, one free hot drink and puppuccino with the purchase of any cake from the restaurant, and £5 off £25 spend in store. Dobbies’ Pup-kin Patch will be taking place on Saturday 25, Sunday 26, Friday 31 October, and Saturday 1 November, tickets are £12.50 per dog. Dates vary for each store so please check the website when booking.
Little Scare-lings – Witches, Wizards and Wicked Treats
This Halloween, children and families can get ready to take part in some scarily fun activities and afternoon tea at the Edinburgh store Little Scare-lings event. There will be three tiers of savoury sandwiches and sweet treats for the children and spook-tacular tea and cake offers or afternoon tea add ons for adults.
Little ones will get to take part in slime and magic potion making to embrace their inner witches and wizards, alongside other magical activities and games. Dobbies is encouraging attendees to dress up in their spookiest costume as a prize will be awarded during a costume contest.
The Little Scare-lings – Witches, Wizards and Wicked Treats is taking place on Saturday 18, Sunday 19, Saturday 25, Sunday 26, Friday 31 October, and Saturday 1 November, tickets are £15 per children and from £7.50 for adults. Dates vary for each store so please check the website when booking.
Dobbies’ Events Programme Manager, Ayesha Nickson, is looking forward to welcoming customers, from families, dogs and planting enthusiasts, to Dobbies’ Edinburgh store this autumn. She said: “It’s fantastic to have such a variety of events on offer and there really is something for everyone to enjoy, with fun for all ages.
“Our Little Scare-lings event is a firm favourite for families, with plenty of action-packed activities, and the Pup-kin Patch is back by popular demand, this year in more stores after it was such a hit last year. We can’t wait to celebrate autumn and Halloween with our customers this spooky season.”
Tickets to all autumn events at Dobbies’ Edinburgh store are now available to book at www.dobbies.com/events.
From star-studded summer concerts, to immersive art, playing host to one of Europe’s largest fan conventions, plus a whole host of high adrenaline family events, Scotland’s premier outdoor venue, the Royal Highland Centre, is set to stage a series of unmissable events over the coming months.
Whether you’re a thrill-seeker, a hobbyist, or just looking for a fun family day out, there is something for everyone:
1.Edinburgh Summer Sessions – Sam Fender (22 August)
The BRIT Award-winning artist will take to the stage as part of his ‘People Watching’ tour, celebrating his highly anticipated third album, with special guest Olivia Dean. Sold out.
Chappell Roan will make her way to the Royal Highland Centre on Tuesday 26th and Wednesday 27th August as part of Edinburgh Summer Sessions, along with guests. Sold out.
Ingliston is one of Scotland’s oldest surviving racing circuits, established in 1965. Suitable for both juniors and experienced drivers alike, enjoy a thrilling driving experience with a range of supercars or give as a present. Various dates, prices from £103.
4. Tabletop Scotland 2025 (5–7 September)
Tabletop Scotland is one of the UK’s largest board, card and roleplaying game festivals. With over 120 exhibitors demoing and selling games, over 200 events throughout the festival, as well as thousands of spaces for you to sit and enjoy the games. A fantastic family friendly event that attracts attendees from far and wide. Day and weekend tickets available. Adult tickets from £15. 10s and under go free.
5. Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show (4–5 October)
Stop dreaming and start building. The Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show will leave you empowered to create your perfect home.With live seminars, one-to-one advice sessions with industry experts, and thousands of products to explore all under one roof, come with questions and leave with answers. Pre-register for free ticket offer.
6. Comic Con Scotland 2025 (11–12 October)
Comic Con Scotland is one of Europe’s largest pop culture conventions, attracting tens of thousands of fans annually to the Royal Highland Centre, bringing a variety of exciting names from movies, tv, streaming, gaming, anime and sports entertainment.
Meet your heroes, get an item signed, see unique props and set builds, watch the fabulous cosplayers strut their stuff on stage, test your skills in retro and modern gaming areas or browse through the unique gifts in trade and artist areas. Tickets from £29.70.
7. The Scottish Smallholder Festival (8 October)
The Scottish Smallholder Festival is the leading place where smallholders, small producers, growers and everyone interested in a sustainable way of life come to share, learn, show, buy and be inspired.
The event is an opportunity for those who are interested in rural life and farming to get a close-up view of small-scale farming, with an introduction to skills and livestock. Tickets from £8.
7. Fawkes Festival (2 November)
A modern take on Bonfire Night—immersive pyrotechnics, live DJs, street performances, fairground rides and fire pits!
Fawkes Festival is back and even bigger this year. From 2pm, families will be entertained with music, entertainment and thrilling fairground ride. As the evening rolls in, a giant bonfire will take centre stage, creating the perfect build-up to a spectacular fireworks display set to music.
Following a sell-out first year, the festival is expanding into another area of the Centre to bring more space, food, fire and fun to the mix.
Early bird adult tickets £15.00 and children’s tickets £8.00.
8. AgriScot (19 November)
AgriScot is now firmly recognised as one of the UK’s premier agricultural events and is the country’s largest indoor winter display of agri machinery with over 240 trade stands exhibiting a wide variety of products, services and advice covering every aspect of agriculture, including competitions, seminars and technical demos.
Not just for those in agriculture. Free entry (register online).
9. Beyond Monet & Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience (29 November 2025 – 4 January 2026)
Beyond Monet: The Immersive Experience makes its highly anticipated Scottish premiere. Using cutting-edge projection technology, over 700 masterpieces by two of history’s most influential artists come alive around you.
From Van Gogh’s The Starry Night and Sunflowers to Monet’s Water Lilies and Impression, Sunrise, their iconic works are freed from their frames and transformed into moving, immersive worlds.
Journey through swirling skies, blooming gardens, and emotional landscapes in this unforgettable fusion of art and technology—an experience that offers a breathtaking new perspective on the masters of Impressionism and Post-Impressionism. Tickets £23-£46.
The Royal Highland Centre is located next to Edinburgh Airport at Ingliston. Regular Edinburgh Tram services run to and from nearby Ingliston Park & Ride. The venue is also accessible via various Lothian Bus routes.
Mark Currie, Director of Venue at Royal Highland Centre, said:“We’re buzzing about the incredibly diverse line-up we have in place for this second half of the year, from headline concerts with some of the country’s biggest artists, to the magically immersive experience of Beyond Monet & Beyond Van Gogh, to agricultural events like AgriScot, and the Royal Highland Show which has been hosted at the centre for well over a few decades
“As Scotland’s largest hybrid outdoor and indoor venue, we have the scope and capacity to deliver truly unique experiences on a scale that few others can match.
“The venue is ideally placed and connected by Edinburgh Tram and Lothian Bus routes. Tickets are available now for all events and more information can be found on our website.”
‘Innovation in Action’ invites S4–S6 students across Scotland to tackle real-world challenges through creativity, teamwork and bold ideas.
Students are tasked by Scottish Charity, TechFest, with creating a solution that will help improve life for visually impaired people, through everyday tools, game-changing apps or innovative ideas.
Wendy Findlay, National Programme Manager at TechFest, said:“STEM is all about using creativity to solve real-world challenges and this project puts students in the driver’s seat to lead with bold, inclusive, and sustainable ideas that matter.
Leading Scottish charity TechFest, is launching its design competition ‘Innovation in Action’ for S4-S6 students across Scotland to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs.
The project is open for school registration now and invites students to design a practical and sustainable product or app that improves life for visually impaired people.
Teams of 2 to 6 students will plan every detail, conduct market research, investigate materials and the costs of various production methods, before documenting their journey in a 10-page report and in a 3-minute video.
Pupils will be supported with both a guidebook and expert-led pre-recorded masterclasses on entrepreneurship, sustainable manufacturing, finance, visual impairment and market research. They will also be invited to attend live, online ‘Ask the Expert’ sessions where they can directly ask these experts questions.
The selected finalists will deliver a 10-minute online sales pitch to the judges in December 2025.
TechFest is a charity that inspires people of all ages to engage with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths). Through interactive activities, they show how STEM builds transferable skills and opens doors to diverse careers, proving that STEM is exciting, relevant and essential to everyday life.
The Innovation in Action Competition, supported by the NCR Foundation, helps to develop skills in design, sustainable manufacturing, teamwork and communication; all tailored to meet the needs of diverse audiences, including people with visual impairments.
Participants will explore the challenges of visual impairment, learn to adapt designs, and build core skills in project management and budgeting.
Wendy Findlay, National Programme Manager at TechFest, said:“Too many young people turn away from STEM because they can’t see themselves in it. They think it’s boring, too hard or doesn’t matter. We aim to change that.
“This project shows them that STEM is a way to be creative, to care and to change lives, including their own. It’s about turning ideas into reality and showing every student that their ideas can truly make a difference.”
Yvonne Whitaker, Director at NCR Foundation, said: “At NCR Foundation, we believe every pupil has the potential to use their STEM skills to build something great.
“Innovation in Action is designed to nurture that potential by giving every student the opportunity, support and tools to bring their ideas to life, so no child’s STEM talents go undiscovered.”
This CREST Award aligned programme will run online to ensure accessibility to schools across Scotland, including those in the most rural areas.
Candidates in the winning teams will each receive an Amazon voucher, and the 1st place winners will receive a trophy to keep at their school.
The Forget Me Notes project, an established Edinburgh based charity which offers a wide range of musical entertainment, therapy and support to those who are living with, or who are affected by dementia, will be hosting its annual showcase event on Tuesday 2nd September at St Bride’s Centre, Orwell Terrace.
The showcase will feature a number of drop-in events between 1045am and 2pm, enabling those in attendance to learn more about the activities of the charity, including an introduction to its volunteer project and an opportunity to meet the chief executive of Forget Me Notes along with one of the charity’s trustees.
Music is at the core of Forget Me Notes’ activities and this will be provided throughout the event by both Kenny Vass and his band along with a series of musical interludes from the various musicians and singers who perform for the charity on a regular basis at care homes, day centres, community centres and other venues, including a fortnightly concert at the Saughton Park bandstand.
Admission to the showcase is free and lunch will be provided.
Later in the day, starting at 6.30pm, there will be a live performance from Kenny’s band featuring music from the1950s and 1960s. Dressing up to reflect the fashions of that period is encouraged (although not essential).
The evening event is ticketed, with tickets available from eventbrite.com at a cost of £10 for adults and £5 for children.
Further details regarding the activities of the Forget Me Notes project and be found at www.forgetmenotes.org.uk
Edinburgh City Centre is likely to be very busy on tomorrow (Thursday, 21 August) due to several events taking place.
Alongside the Edinburgh International Festival and Fringe Festival, AC/DC will perform Murrayfield Stadium and Hibernian FC will play Legia Warszawa.
Divisional Commander for Edinburgh, Chief Superintendent David Robertson, said: “With multiple events on in Edinburgh on Thursday, locals and visitors are advised to leave plenty of time to travel around the city.
“Transport is likely to be busier than normal so please plan your journeys in advance.
“An appropriate policing plan is in place and additional officers will be on patrol in the city.”
Friends and supporters of Arkle Theatre Company have unveiled a sculpture to mark the thirty year legacy of grassroots theatre and to recognise the contribution of founders Rob Mackean and Michael Mulligan to the arts.
The sculpture was unveiled at a reception attended by alumni of the theatre company and held at this year’s Fringe Central at Grassmarket Community Project on Monday (18 August).
The sculpture has been commissioned from Edinburgh blacksmith and artist Jack Waygood, and depicts a mischievous figure of Puck sat atop a step ladder and holding the full moon.
The design was inspired by Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Patrick Barlow’s adaptation of The 39 Steps; two favourite plays of Arkle Theatre founders and the ensemble productions that made up the company’s final Fringe performances. The work is due to go onto public display at the new Fringe Hub when it opens on Infirmary Street in 2026.
Talking about the artwork and contribution Arkle Theatre Company has made to the arts in Edinburgh, Head of Artist Services at the Fringe Society, Chris Snow said: “Edinburgh is packed year-round with talent – professional theatre companies, students and community groups alike.
“In this year’s Fringe programme hundreds of shows are presented by Edinburgh-based teams. Rob Mackean and Michael Mulligan have led Arkle Theatre for 30 years, with the company performing more than 50 shows at the festival.
“The new Fringe Central isn’t just for August – it’s to provide support and space to our local artistic community year-round. We are proud to be a home for this sculpture, commissioned to mark the final Arkle productions and honour Rob and Michael’s legacy to the city and even the festival.”
Arkle Theatre Company was founded in 1996 by Rob Mackean and Michael Mulligan who had previously been members of Edinburgh People’s Theatre. The company’s first production was Womberang by Sue Townsend, which was performed in August 1996 at Theatre East End, St Pauls and St George’s Church Hall.
Arkle went on to stage 85 productions in close to 500 performances in the subsequent 29 years, performing at over 20 different venues across Edinburgh and Scotland, and engaging the talent of over 200 Edinburgh based actors, directors, technicians, and artists.
Reflecting on 30 years, Arkle founder Michael Mulligan said: “You only get out what you put in.
“You couldn’t pay me to act, I can’t act. So I’ve been doing the one thing I like to do, and that is to give talented people a chance to perform. It’s as simple as that.”
Rob Mackean added: “So many people just see the actors on the stage and they don’t realise the hours and hours of rehearsal and all the preparation behind the rehearsals that goes on.
“The performance is just the tip of the iceberg of what we do. It’s only when you’ve done something like this for 30 years or more that you realise people have no concept of all that stuff that goes on behind the scenes.”
The company’s final season came to a close at this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe, where it staged four productions at The Royal Scots Club; Nancy’s Philosopher, George, Don’t Do That… The Joy of Joyce Grenfell, The 39 Steps and A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
The sculpture by Jack Waygood (above) and gifted by friends of Arkle Theatre Company to Rob Mackean and Michael Mulligan will be placed on public display at the new Fringe Central on Infirmary Street when it opens in 2026.
Three new initiatives to help people find and stay in work, including disabled people and those with long term health conditions, have been announced.
The pilot projects will share £228,000 of Scottish Government funding to enable people with diverse needs to enter, stay in or progress in the workplace. They will be used to expand flexible working in sectors such as manufacturing and help diversify the public sector workforce.
Business and Employment Minister Richard Lochhead welcomed the launch at Scottish Leather Group in Bridge of Weir, Renfrewshire, where staff are already benefiting from initiatives such as compressed hours and reduced hours for people approaching retirement.
He said: “This new funding will help provide flexible and supportive working environments and contribute to a more dynamic, diverse, and resilient jobs market in Scotland.
“This has significant benefits for workers and means employers like Scottish Leather Group can draw from a wider talent pool.
“The Scottish Government is committed to helping people remain in work and strengthening pathways into employment for those furthest from the jobs market. This new funding will promote flexible working, support disabled employees and people at risk of economic inactivity.”
Nikki Slowey, co-founder and director of Flexibility Works, said: “People’s lives are constantly changing, whether that’s with children, caring for older relatives or for health needs, and we know many people drop out of work altogether if the juggle between work and home life becomes too stressful.
“Employers that are attuned to this and are able to be flexible can keep hold of talented and experienced staff. Often people only want small changes, such as a little home working or to start and finish at slightly different times.
“This enables people to keep working, which is good for their finances and wellbeing as well as delivering benefits for their employer and our wider economy.”
The funding is part of wider Scottish Government efforts to enable people with diverse needs to enter, stay in or progress in the workplace, which in turn will help boost the economy and tackle child poverty.
It will allow three separate organisations to run distinct pilot projects – all with the aim of providing workplace support:
Training specialists Flexibility Works will receive £96,100 to equip manufacturing sector employers with knowledge and tools to adopt and embed sustainable, flexible working practices.
National representative body the Scottish Union for Supported Employment(SUSE) will access £98,737 to support employers, disabled people and people with long term conditions, to stay in work helping to reduce the Disability Employment Gap. SUSE will work intensively with a group of 16-20 employers over the life of the pilot, delivering training and practical support.
Business in the Community will use £33,969 to deliver workshops on inclusive hiring and progression initiatives within public sector organisations and help managers to attract and support diverse talent.
As teenagers get their exam results, parents are urged to renew their Child Benefit claim by 31 August for payments to continue in September
Parents can quickly and easily extend their Child Benefit claim via the HMRC app or online to guarantee their payments
Record numbers of parents of 16 to 19-year-olds staying in education or training have extended their Child Benefit online
With Scottish National and Higher exam results already known, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is urging parents who know their teenager’s plans in September to extend their claim now to continue to receive Child Benefit.
More than 509,000 parents of teenagers, who are staying in full-time education or approved training, have already extended their Child Benefit claim. A record-breaking 67% have done it online to guarantee their payments will continue in September. Parents need to extend their claim by 31 August or payments will automatically stop.
Child Benefit is worth £26.05 per week – or £1,354.60 a year – for the eldest or only child and £17.25 per week – or £897 a year – for each additional child.
HMRC has written to 1.5 million eligible parents reminding them to extend their Child Benefit claim for their 16 to 19-year-old.
The quickest and easiest way to ensure payments continue is to extend via the HMRC app or online through the digital service.
Parents can also scan the QR code in their reminder letter which will take them straight to the digital service.
Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Chief Customer Officer, said:“Teenagers can be expensive and Child Benefit is an important source of income for your household. As soon as you know what your teen is doing in September, don’t miss out.
“You can extend your claim in minutes through the HMRC app or online to ensure your payments continue.”
Child Benefit can continue to be paid for young people who are studying full time in non-advanced education as well as unpaid approved training courses. Visit GOV.UK for a full list of approved courses.
If either the claimant or their partner has an individual income of between £60,000 and £80,000, the higher earner will be subject to the High Income Child Benefit Charge. For families who fall into this category, the online Child Benefit tax calculator provides an estimate of how much benefit they will receive, and what the charge may be.
As part of the government’s Plan for Change, many families will soon have the option to use a new digital service to pay the charge directly through their PAYE tax code instead of filing a Self Assessment tax return.
The new service will cut red tape for eligible employed parents who are liable to the charge. Those who choose to pay through their Self Assessment can continue to do so.
Families who have previously opted out of Child Benefit payments can opt back in and restart their payments quickly and easily online or via the HMRC app
